WINTER 2011 SUMMER 2017–18 SUMMER AUSTRALIAN J 

together for a faith doing justice

WINTER 2011

AUSTRALIAN In the name of Jesus J  in the spirit of Ignatius companions for a faith that does justice together for a faith doing justice

Inside The Bookends Project Indigenous ministry past, present and future Bringing together our concerns Tackling asylum seekers’ ‘multiple discrimination’ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and asylum seekers 50 years of St Ignatius’ College Adelaide www.jesuit.org.au From the Provincial

Companions is a publication of the Australian Jesuits, which is produced twice a year for friends and supporters of the Jesuit Province. Dear Friends

CONTACT Australian Jesuits 20 The Vaucluse In a recent article in Eureka Street, Fr Andrew Hamilton sj Richmond Victoria 3121 drew our attention to what I once named ‘the bookends Telephone 03 9421 9666 of rejection’ in Australian history.

CALL TO MISSION The arrival of the First Fleet constitutes support of them will be coordinated to the first bookend. Notwithstanding the maximise their effectiveness. many decent and heroic chapters that have This edition of Companions explores followed, there is no denying that our nation’s each of the bookends in greater depth. triumphs have come at great cost to our Firstly, through an essay by Fr Pat Mullins sj Aboriginal sisters and brothers. (pp 5–6) about the history of our Province The second bookend is the reality that engagement with Aboriginal and Torres innocent people, who have been subjected Strait Islander peoples on which the bookend to persecution and are seeking Australia’s initiative hopes to build. protection in accordance with our And secondly, through an interview with international obligations, have been Carolina Gottardo, Country Director of expelled to Manus Island and Nauru. Jesuit Refugee Service (pp 6–7), about the Because the Society’s mission is always to shape of JRS’s present service and advocacy stand with the poor and marginalised, I have work in the area of asylum seeker rights and launched dual Province initiatives in response the role JRS will take in facilitating further to these bookends. Province-wide responses in relation to this COVER Jesuits and local community Background work on the first of these second bookend. after Mass in the Northern Territory. initiatives — Aboriginal and Torres Strait I commend our bookends projects to you Islander reconciliation — has already most strongly and I ask you all to engage in EDITOR Tim Kroenert begun. In the months ahead it will become this whole-of-Province process prayerfully [email protected] EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS more visible and I will invite your active and generously. Michael McVeigh, Andrew Hamilton sj, participation in it. Robin Koning sj, Chris Horvat sj. Significant initial work on the second bookend has also begun with the Refugee CONTRIBUTORS and Asylum Seeker Task Force, which I Fr Brian F. McCoy sj, Provincial. Michael McVeigh, Fr Andrew Hamilton sj, set up last year. Fr Brian McCoy sj, Tim Kroenert, Fr Chris Horvat sj, Fr Pat Mullins sj, Its work was to look at what is already Fr Iain Radvan sj, Carolina Gottardo, being done around the Province on asylum Illustration by Chris Johnston Peter Coffey, Fr John Martis sj. seeker and refugee issues; current and future needs; GRAPHIC DESIGN Maggie Power the resources of the [email protected] Province that could help

Copyright 2017 address those needs; what Jesuit Communications Australia a Province-wideresponse Printed on environmentally responsible might look like; and how paper made with fibre sourced from it might be resourced, certified plantation forests. implemented and evaluated. The Province will be pursuing these two initiatives and, where possible, activities in

2 Companions Summer 2017–18 Obituaries

Remembering Jesuit Fathers Kevin King, Kevin Penry, John Wilcken, Paul Coleman and John Doenau

Fr Kevin King sj died at Nazareth House, Fr Kevin Penry sj died at Mary MacKillop Fr John Wilcken sj died on 3 September Camberwell, Vic., on 28 March 2017, at Residence, Hawthorn East, Vic., on 2017, aged 86. He had been a Jesuit for the age of 88. Just six weeks earlier he had 24 July 2017, at the age of 84. He had 65 years and a priest for 54. Born in moved there from Arrupe House, Pymble, been a Jesuit for 67 years and a priest Sydney, he entered the where he had been in retirement since for 53. Born in Melbourne, he entered in 1952. After tertianship in Austria, he 2008. He had been a Jesuit for 70 years the Society of Jesus in 1950. He worked studied dogmatic theology in , then and a priest for 57. Born in East Melbourne in a variety of ministries: schools, adult completed his doctorate on the writings of and educated at St Patrick’s College, his education, a parish, hospital chaplaincy, a Bonhoeffer at Heythrop College, UK. John Jesuit formation followed the usual course. seminary in Fiji, with homeless alcoholics taught systematic theology for 43 years. In Apart from five years as assistant director at Corpus Christi Community Greenvale, 1983-85 he was academic principal at JTC. of the Jesuit Mission Office in Melbourne, helping care for senior Jesuits. He was a He had a passion for theological reflection his active priestly life was spent in schools founding member of the Centre of Ignatian on justice issues, and served as province in Sydney and Perth, including 25 fruitful Spirituality at Pymble (Sydney) consultor and provincial assistant for social years as chaplain at John XXIII College and the Victorian Christian Life ministries. For three decades he celebrated in Perth. Community Guiding Committee. weekly Mass at Regina Coeli/McAuley House for vulnerable women while living at Corpus Christi Community Greenvale.

Parramatta (1986-89) — where he added University. In 1969 he was assistant prison chaplaincy to his responsibilities chaplain at Melbourne University, where — and as chaplain at Mater Hospital (1990- he went on to do social studies, before 97, 2007-17) and Mary MacKillop Chapel undertaking an MA in applied psychology and Centre at North Sydney (1998-2006). at ANU. John worked as a marriage In 2015 Paul was awarded the Medal of counsellor, notably at the Catholic Family the Order of Australia for service to the Welfare Bureau in Melbourne, and spiritual Church and refugee support organisations. director, including at Campion House, Fr Paul Coleman sj died on 25 September Kew, for his last 20 years. 2017 at Mater Hospital in Sydney, aged Fr John Doenau sj died 25 September 2017, 90. He had been a Jesuit for 69 years and aged 88. He had been a Jesuit for 70 years a priest for 58. Born in Melbourne, he and a priest for 54. Born in Melbourne, studied arts/law at Melbourne University he entered the Society of Jesus in 1947. for two years before joining the Jesuits. Following Tertianship at Decatur, Illinois, He was appointed assistant priest at USA, he was assigned to Holy Name St Mary’s, North Sydney in 1962 and Seminary, Christchurch, NZ, where he altogether spent 50 years working in was a spiritual father, taught philosophy Sydney, including as parish priest at and scripture, and directed the humanities North Sydney (1975-85) and St Clair in studies seminarians did at Canterbury

Companions Summer 2017–18 3 INDIGENOUS MINISTRY

Relationships at the heart of Aboriginal ministry

n 1899, the Austrian Jesuit Mission ended its involvement with Indigenous people Iin Daly River, which had begun in 1882. It was not until 1979 that the Australian Province renewed its commitment to engaging with Indigenous people.

The renewal related to the pursuit of In 1979 the Provincial Fr Pat O’Sullivan And, if not monuments, there have faith and justice in the Jesuit Order sj sent Brian and me to Townsville. We been ongoing fruits of our work beyond worldwide promoted by the 32nd General rented a house, supported by part-time individual relationships, while always Congregation of 1974. It coincided with employment as a bus driver and taxi driver grounded in them. We have been involved the visionary message of the Superior respectively, and directed our efforts to variously in developing Aboriginal Catholic General, Fr sj, who said: developing relationships with Aboriginal communities in Townsville, Darwin, ‘Love of God which does not issue in and Islander people living in Townsville. Garden Point, Nguiu, Palm Island, justice for others is a farce.’ Other Jesuits followed our lead into Broome, the Kutjungka Region (Balgo, The renewal gave rise to new Aboriginal ministry, including John Egan, Malarn, Kururrungku and Yaka Yaka), ministries such as Jesuit Social Services, Mauri Heading, Robin Koning, Tom Alice Springs and Mt Druitt, training Uniya, Jesuit Refuge Service and initiatives Nicholas and Dave Ryan. Between us, we five Aboriginal men to become deacons, within existing ministries in schools, spent significant periods of time in different and developing the Catholic component parishes and colleges. It was a time of contexts such as Aboriginal chaplaincy in of Nungalinya College to join with the great hope and energy in our Province Townsville, Darwin, Garden Point, Broome, Anglican and Uniting Churches to form and gave rise to a new ministry among Balgo, Alice Springs and Mt Druitt. the only theological college in the country Indigenous people. in which Aboriginal Catholics have a While a formal Province formal involvement. re-commitment began in 1979, there Love of God which does not We have worked to develop NATSICC were a number of initiatives from ‘issue in justice for others is (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait individual Jesuits that formed a precursor. a farce. Islander Catholic Council) to become One of these began when my fellow a truly national network. And Frank Fr Pedro Arrupe sj scholastic Brian McCoy and I sought ’ Brennan has established himself as a legal permission from the then Provincial, Fr authority and advocate on aspects of Peter Kelly sj, to spend one year of our Though living in different places, we Indigenous issues such as land rights, regency in 1973 at Balgo Mission in the rejoiced to form the Jesuit Northern legal rights and the Constitution. Kimberley region of Western Australia. Community, happy that a precedent for such Then there are the numerous books At Balgo we worked in much the same a ‘dispersed community’ had been set by and articles that have come out of this way as lay missionaries did at that time. Francis Xavier and others. Frank Brennan, work, including those on the lives of We cared for the school-aged boys in a though not stationed in the north of Willie Thaiday (which I wrote), Marnie dormitory and helped on other projects Australia, was part of the Province’s renewed Kennedy (by John Egan), Theresa Illin from supervising children in the dining engagement, especially with his legal and and Sr Alice Dempsey (both by Brian room, helping construct water tanks advocacy work, and, also joined our bi-annual McCoy), and Brian McCoy’s landmark and other infrastructure, to even helping community gatherings when he was able. work on the Aboriginal concept of muster and brand cattle. There are few monuments to our ‘holding’. As well, there are all the hours The mission was all about to change. work, which is not such a bad thing. It has spent visiting prisoners, attending courts, Basically, the wider world came to Balgo always been that relating, encouraging and giving evidence, writing reference letters, over the next few years. We are fortunate seeking to empower Indigenous people and conducting pastoral work, especially to remember an era when everybody were the highest priorities. We continue hundreds of funerals. worked, children all went to school every to have blessed relationships with It has been a great ride — mostly. day and the elders sang the traditional Aboriginal and Islander people, One day in Alice Springs we set out early songs and stories at night. which extend over the whole continent. to conduct a funeral at Muckatty Station,

4 Companions Summer 2017–18 (From right) Robin Koning and Brian McCoy at a First Communion Mass at Wirrumanu (Balgo Hills) near the Queensland border. By the time experiences conducted by several that there is a kind of wound in all of us we arrived, the funeral was over, so we of our schools. which can issue in anger or guilt, said a prayer and turned around. We got Jesuit Social Services engages with or merely frustration that things don’t back late after 750km on dirt roads and Aboriginal communities in a variety of change, that the history of atrocities bull dust. That was not a great ride! ways. Mauri Heading continues his long cannot be changed, or that sometimes involvement in the Darwin diocese, which well intentioned efforts like assimilation Generally I receive much more than takes in most of the Northern Territory, or missions result in humiliation I give. I was especially blessed to learn in his current role as diocesan facilitator and alienation. some of the Arrernte language of of the Aboriginal apostolate there, while On the other hand we can receive Central Australia and experience some I am involved with Aboriginal peoples the spiritual richness of dadirri. of its spirituality, notably the equivalent in the west of Sydney. Frank Brennan We can grow to be humble in our of Dadirri (from Daly River), which continues to advocate on Indigenous consideration of Aboriginal life, and means to be is to contemplate; living issues as they arise. And the other Jesuits receive practical forgiveness as we is contemplative, surely the highest who are no longer directly involved in the encounter Aboriginal people who possible expression of spirituality. ministry maintain contact and relationships hold no grudges against us. I might just be starting to get it! with the people with whom they have worked as they are able. In the words attributed to the Much has happened over the last This is not just another ministry among well-known aboriginal activist Lilla 40 years. Our engagement with others for our Province. The ‘bookends Watson: ‘If you are coming to help Aboriginal people has extended to project’ identifies this engagement as me you are wasting your time but if education thanks to Redfern Jarjum one of the key pillars of our Australian you are interested in your and my School, the inclusion of Aboriginal Province’s mission and identity. liberation let us sit and talk.’ boarders at Riverview and Xavier, The matter of our connection with and immersion and exposure Indigenous people touches us so delicately Fr Pat Mullins sj

Companions Summer 2017–18 5 JESUIT REFUGEE SERVICE

Working with refugees is more than a service

he recently announced ‘bookends Tproject’ emphasises the Province’s work firstly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and secondly with refugees and people seeking asylum. The Provincial is hoping that a whole- of-Province approach will help sharpen and enhance our current focus on these concerns. When it comes to the second ‘bookend’, Jesuit Refugee Service Australia will be taking the lead, under the direction of JRS Country Director Carolina Gottardo and newly appointed project officer Anne Nesbit, who commences on 25 October 2017.

Pictured above: JRS Country Director Carolina Gottardo

‘Looking at Australia’s human rights ‘of people who are most excluded. I have record, I believe that the most critical dedicated my life to working with the Looking at Australia’s human human rights issues in this country are most disadvantaged people.’ rights record, I believe that the related to the treatment of people seeking The bookend project’s emphasis on ‘ asylum, and the treatment of Aboriginal working with asylum seekers is certainly most critical human rights issues and Torres Strait Islander peoples’, timely. Australia, Gottardo points out, is in this country are related to Gottardo tells Companions. ‘These are a ‘world leader’ in terms of resettlement the treatment of people seeking now historical issues that are still current of off-shore refugees, but also in terms of and are leaving deep scars in our country. its punitive treatment of asylum seekers asylum, and the treatment of JRS will be mapping the response of the who arrive on-shore, setting a hardline Aboriginal and Torres Strait Province to people seeking asylum, and example that other countries have sought Islander peoples. developing a coordinated approach for to emulate. It is this group, ‘the most the Province.’ excluded’, that JRS Australia is typically medically evacuated from’ offshore Gottardo began at JRS in March, concerned with. Gottardo believes that detention on Nauru and Manus Island following her most recent role as Director to serve them JRS needs to do more than and brought to Australia for treatment. of the Latin American Women’s Rights simply provide services, but must combine The cuts have started to be implemented Service in the UK. She brings a swathe of this with policy and advocacy work to with the first 100 people. ‘They are credentials to the role, having previously address systemic issues. forcing some of the most traumatised worked for the UN Development The importance of this came to the and vulnerable people in our community Program, the UK’s Catholic Agency fore in recent months as the Australian into destitution’, says Gottardo. ‘These for Overseas Development, the British government moved towards cutting are some of the most vulnerable people Institute of Human Rights, the British financial support and accommodation JRS serves.’ Red Cross and the Refugee Council of for, and effectively putting at risk of JRS is now prioritising this group in Australia. ‘I really care about the rights deportation, roughly 400 people, mostly both advocacy and service roles. It has of refugees and asylum seekers’, she says, recognised refugees, who had been been providing accommodation for some

6 Companions Summer 2017–18 of these people, and has stepped up to Office on gender and asylum issues in At the same time, on the national, provide emergency financial assistance, November. She will also be visiting JRS regional and global advocacy fronts, JRS casework support and in-kind support. Indonesia to explore joint policy initiatives Australia is developing a joint project ‘People are very scared’, says Gottardo. and projects and attending key regional with the University of New South Wales, ‘We have coordinated our efforts with advocacy meetings. Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network and other service providers to provide the Australian National Council on Refugee most effective response, and are working Women, which will aim to influence with other organisations to fundraise to JRS will be working more closely the development, implementation and meet essential support needs.’ JRS has ‘with the Province to continue our evaluation of the Global Compact on launched an appeal specifically to support work advocating and attempting Refugees and the International and these efforts*. Regional policy framework, to ensure to enact change on the second Another priority for JRS under that the protection of asylum-seeking Gottardo’s stewardship ‘is to continue bookend, addressing current and refugee women and girls is effectively working in close partnership with our and future needs in the areas embedded in international law and policy. regional and international counterparts. of refugee and asylum-seeking Given that such issues are its dedicated JRS is in 51 countries and we could inform focus, JRS is naturally at the forefront asylum policy not only at national but also rights and access to services. of the Province’s work on them. At the regional and global levels.’ In particular, ’ same time, it recognises that many other says Gottardo, regional protection and With this global perspective comes a ministries contribute in a range of ways joint work with JRS in the Asia Pacific need to recognise the diverse needs of to work for refugees and asylum seekers. region are key, ‘as Australia’s policies affect particular groups. Gottardo specifies the Hence JRS is very keen to coordinate the the rest of the region and conversely ‘multiple discrimination’ experienced by Province’s work on this second bookend. Australia is affected by refugee movements women and girls seeking asylum. ‘We are ‘JRS will be working more closely and policies across the region’. here to serve all asylum seekers, but we with the Province to continue our work ‘We work closely with JRS Asia Pacific need to respond specifically to groups advocating and attempting to enact change and other JRS country offices in our region that are facing enhanced challenges’, she on the second bookend, addressing current including JRS Indonesia, JRS Thailand explains. For example, many asylum- and future needs in the areas of refugee and and JRS Cambodia, and with Asia Pacific seeking women have experienced asylum-seeking rights and access to services’, Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), domestic and gender-based violence says Gottardo. ‘We are committed to our which is the peak refugee network in prior to coming to Australia, and many work with the Province to map the work the Asia Pacific region, consisting of more are vulnerable to it once they arrive. on refugees and people seeking asylum and than 300 members from 28 countries. JRS aims to respond accordingly. explore potential collaborative projects and We are also active in advocacy related to To this end it has obtained funding best practice. And we are committed to the development of the Global Compact from Parramatta Council for a pilot helping to ensure the two bookend projects on Refugees and the Global Compact project on violence against women and are coordinated and are a success.’ on Migration.’ girls (VAWG). ‘The idea is to consult with These global partnerships and regional women seeking asylum and to develop Tim Kroenert, with Carolina Gottardo, initiatives extend from an organisational a larger project following this pilot, to JRS Australia Country Director level to the individual level. JRS address the issue of women seeking caseworkers went to Bangkok in May asylum who are also affected by VAWG’, *JRS is asking for financial donations to exchange best practice, experiences says Gottardo. ‘JRS staff will also be to sponsor an individual or family, and wellbeing techniques with other trained on VAWG and asylum and the to cover emergency payments and caseworkers from across the region. identification of cases and responses. accommodations, and donations of food Gottardo visited JRS offices in Bangkok The project has started successfully and or other material goods. See www.jrs. in May and will be training JRS staff from we hope to obtain funding next year org.au/australian-government-cut-income- Thailand, Indonesia, and the JCAP Regional for a larger project.' support-people-seeking-asylum-need-help/

Companions Summer 2017–18 7 VOCATIONS

Missionary spirit at diaconate ordination

Pictured above (right): Nico Lariosa

ustralian Jesuits Nico Lariosa, a year before priestly ordination. thousands of underground Christians A Alan Wong and Robert Morris Speaking in the lead-up to the were discovered. were ordained deacons in Boston ordination, Rob Morris said that the ‘They had been underground for 250 recently, with Cardinal Sean O’Malley initiation into sacramental ministry years, braving persecution, baptizing their ‘completes’ his vocation. children and observing the liturgical year OFM Cap. presiding. ‘I don’t mean that to put the priesthood without priests’, said Cardinal O’Malley. or ordained ministry above other forms of ‘They passed on the teachings of the The three Australians were among ministering in the Church. But for me, in church and long quotes from the Bible, all twelve Jesuits ordained at St Ignatius’ terms of my own sense of vocation, I get a from memory. Their faith and resilience Church in Chestnut Hill on 2 September. sense of fulfilment at the thought of being are in part a result of the formation that Three of the others came from Nigeria, a sacramental minister for people’, he said. they received from Jesuit missionaries, while the remaining six were from the In his homily at the ordination, Cardinal many of whom witnessed to that faith United States. O’Malley spoke of the extraordinary witness by their own martyrdom.’ The diaconate belongs to the of the Jesuits in Japan — recently depicted ‘How blessed we are that our God is sacrament of Holy Orders. Deacons in the movie Silence. He noted that over still calling young men to this way of life, proclaim and preach the Gospel, lead 50 Jesuits had died as martyrs in Japan. to be companions of Jesus, ready to go people in prayer, preside over baptisms It was a testimony to the formation to the most difficult posts to set the and marriages, and conduct funeral that these missionaries gave the Japanese world on fire, to be God’s instruments.’ services. For those on the path to converts that, when Father Bernard The three Australians will be continuing priesthood, the diaconate ordination Petitjean discovered Japan had been their formation in Boston, and preparing usually takes place several months to opened to foreigners in 1865, tens of for priestly ordination next year.

8 Companions Summer 2017–18 Photos by Lizzy Barrett Lizzy by Photos

Robert Morris receiving the Book of the Gospels from Cardinal O’Malley Some of the ordinands, with Robert Morris on the left and Alan Wong on the right.

Pictured above (right): Alan Wong Ordinands prostrating themselves as the congregation invokes the intercession of the Saints on them.

Cardinal Sean O'Malley with the recently ordained deacons in Boston Pictured above: Nico Lariosa

Companions Summer 2017–18 9 EDUCATION

A countercultural education

t’s a year of celebration and change Ifor St Ignatius’ College Adelaide. On the one hand, 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of its senior campus at Athelstone. On the other, at the end of the year it will farewell principal Fr Robert Davoren sj and welcome its first lay principal, Peter Coffey, who will take the reins from the start of 2018 alongside new rector Fr Peter Hosking sj.

For Peter Coffey, this is but the latest phase in a long journey with St Ignatius’, where he gained his high school education during the 1970s. After completing a bachelor of economics and a diploma of education at the University of Adelaide, Peter had stints teaching at St Michael’s College, a Lasallian school at Henley Peter Coffey (third from left) and Robert Davoren (second from right) with St Ignatius' students Beach, and at a mission school in the Central Province of Papua New Guinea. Then, in 1995, he returned to ‘Our identity as a Catholic school St Ignatius’ as religious education in the Ignatian tradition is fundamental Whether I’m talking with coordinator. He played a significant role in to all we do’, he tells Companions. It is staff, parents or students, we the developments which occurred in 1996 embodied, he says, ‘in the language we ‘ under then principal Fr Greg O’Kelly sj: use, in the expectations we have both talk about formation. It’s about the transition to a fully co-educational for our staff and our students, our view not just the mind but also school, the transfer of year seven from of the world, and the extent to which the heart, the body, the spirit, the junior campus at Norwood to the we are able to live up to all those things. senior school, and the introduction of Education is central, but we think we’re the will. junior primary at Norwood. involved in something greater than that. ’ ‘It’s quite extraordinary what ‘Whether I’m talking with staff, parents Phrases such as ‘men and women happened’, Peter recalls. ‘The dynamic or students, we talk about formation. for others’, ‘competence, conscience, of the place changed enormously in a It’s about not just the mind but also compassion, commitment’, ‘finding very short space of time. Being present the heart, the body, the spirit, the will. God in all things’, ‘the glory of God is and part of that was very exciting.’ Peter We often refer to that concept of the revealed in man and woman fully alive’, would go on to become deputy head “graduate at graduation”; what are we ‘contemplatives in action’, and ‘we make of the senior school for 11 years from hoping for our students as they leave the the world a better place because of our 2003, before becoming head of the senior school? We want them to be not only presence in the world’ are more than school in 2014, bringing a passion for intellectually competent but also open mere slogans for Peter, but flow through Ignatian spirituality and Jesuit education to growth, religious, loving, and to the expectations held for staff and to these roles. committed to justice.’ students alike.

10 Companions Summer 2017–18 ‘We could talk about our beautiful grounds and facilities’, Peter says. ‘I think we’ve got a very gentle, welcoming community feel to our school. We’re pretty tolerant, very accepting, and I think our students are largely happy. Those are all things to be celebrated, but ultimately it gets back to the sort of young men and women our old scholars turn out to be. ‘If you have a look at the former students that are out in the world, and the sort of things they’re engaged in, you get a sense that the language we use and the hope we have for our students are being lived out in many different circumstances. They are trying to be large-hearted, generous, compassionate, involved in their community. That’s the greatest achievement we can have.’

We’ve got lots of people in ‘the law, the arts, education Pictured above: Principal Peter Coffey and so on’, he says, but equally important are those who are genuine Ignatian education. We’re trying ‘We try to put Christ at the heart to ensure those links are as strong as they ‘just being good people in of everything we do’, explains Peter. possibly can be, with a sense of one school ‘Love is at the heart of everything we their community’ or in their across two campuses.’ do, and Christ is love. So that should family life. He also contemplates the animate everything that happens in ’ countercultural role Jesuit schools can this place, whether it’s a lesson in As he takes his place in the principal’s continue to play in a world that is ever the classroom, a sporting team, a chair, Peter is reflecting on the school’s more ‘complex and secular’. ‘Our world musical performance, or an immersion history, and looking to what the years is increasingly driven by personal gain experience. It’s all drawing us to be the ahead will hold. ‘We’ve had some fantastic and gratification, and we’re promoting people that God calls us to be.’ leaders, some terribly generous and a message of generosity, compassion, In light of this it’s no surprise to visionary people in our community who forgiveness, love and inclusivity. Life is so learn that of all the school has achieved have helped bring the school to this point. much more meaningful when lived fully in the past five decades and more, Compared to our brother schools like and generously in the service of others. in Peter’s eyes it is the lives and Xavier and Riverview we’re still relatively ‘Our college motto is Deo Gloria, achievements of past students that young. We’re still making our story.’ To God the Glory, a contraction of AMDG. most call for celebration. ‘We’ve got Peter hopes his contributions to that I find myself using that all the time. lots of people in the law, the arts, story will include strengthening the bond How does what we say, what we do, education and so on’, he says, but between the junior school at Norwood what we’re engaging in reveal God’s glory? equally important are those who are and the senior school at Athelstone ‘to Because that is what Ignatius is on about.’ ‘just being good people in their try to ensure that, irrespective of which community’ or in their family life. campus you’re at, what’s going on is a Tim Kroenert

Companions Summer 2017–18 11 CONNECTING WITH CREATION

Finding God in nature

ave you ever felt the inner urge Hto get out into nature? Has your spiritual director ever suggested that you ‘go out’ and pray with nature? This is an excellent practice for two reasons.

Firstly, following the texts of Ignatius in the Spiritual Exercises, we recognise with Ignatius God’s presence in creation and Merri Creek Prayer Day Walk the gifts in creation that are from God. A prayer exercise in the fourth week immanently present in the earth and its of finding God in nature and have given of the Spiritual Exercises directs the creatures, welcomes us, gives us a it a deliberate structure in the ministry exercitant to relish God’s presence in all space to be, soothes our senses, fills of Being with God in Nature. plants and animals and the elements, and us with wonder. While there is an intellectual component God’s labour through them for our good. on our retreats and walks, particularly We know that Ignatius probably I am sure that sometimes you have with the afternoon or evening sessions on discovered this care of God for him when experienced something of God’s the writings of eminent scholars such as he was walking across Europe — from presence in nature unsolicited — some Thomas Berry and Teilhard de Chardin, Loyola to Manresa, to Barcelona, to sense of God’s care for you, a message and the ’s encyclical, Laudato Si’, more Rome, to Jerusalem, through Spain and of love from God in seeing a butterfly, emphasis is given to the actual experience France and back into Italy, all on foot or enjoying the rain, or seeing some of God in nature. and without an umbrella! animals at play. Peter, Helen and I take small Secondly, we have a better groups on day walks in some areas of understanding of human psychology today, There are also spiritual exercises that can bush not far from the metropolitan which Ignatius intuited well, regarding direct our conscious awareness to nature. centre of Melbourne. In silence and in the value of nature for our wellbeing. One of these, for example, suggests that companionship the men and women of The Japanese have identified the benefits the person walking through some parkland all ages become attentive to the gentle of walking among trees, which they call or bush notice the different trees — and friendly signals of nature. ‘forest bathing’. some small and crowded by others, some They return refreshed and with a Simply being in a garden, a park, or broken or fallen, some dead but still giving greater appreciation for plants, animals, in the wilderness relieves the human in some way, some loaded with fruit for all. birds and rocks, for the ground and the mind and body of stress, partly due We are to listen to each one and sense sky. They rediscover that all these things to the colour green and partly to the which of them is calling to us. We are to are their brothers and sisters born of gentle stimuli of wind in leaves, bird calls, notice what makes that tree singular, what the hands of the one loving God. This moving clouds. Unlike many elements its story is. We are to spend some time challenges their sense of how to live of the human-centred world, nothing is in the tree’s company, touching it, leaning responsibly on the earth. demanding us to pay attention, to want or against it, sharing our story with it. Next time you are in the bush or in buy something or to be something other Finally, we give it thanks and farewell. a park, enjoy God’s presence with you! than what we are. The environment simply It delights me how many people return is, and it welcomes us without a word. amazed at what they have encountered Fr Iain Radvan sj It allows us to be present. in finding a tree that has something to This is one way that God touches us. say to them! Read more about the Campion God provides food and water for our At Campion CIS, Peter Saunders and CIS nature retreats at existence, but more than that, God, Helen Lucas have taken the Ignatian insight www.campion.asn.au/nature/

12 Companions Summer 2017–18 INTELLECTUAL APOSTOLATE

Philosophy and faith in a secular world

esuit philosopher Fr John Martis the hindrance that Jis based at Pilgrim Theological come with too-easily presumed faith answers. College in Parkville, Vic., where, he Also it is thought that it says, he teaches ‘everything from is better that philosophy Plato to post-modernism’. Recently come before theology, because once we’ve he published a book, Subjectivity investigated a given as Radical Hospitality: Recasting the question in that particular Self with Augustine, Descartes, Marion way, and found the answers and Derrida (see review page 14). from all directions, then we can add theology as a Here he speaks to Michael McVeigh. layer that integrates [all of those things]. What in your view is the difference It’s very good training between philosophy and theology? in debate and argument. The main difference is that philosophy That becomes a tool to use, begins from reasoning, using the mind particularly when you’re to work out answers to questions, what talking to people who don’t things mean. Theology also uses reason, have faith. If you want to but it starts with revelation; working out bring the message of the eternal truths, but from the perspective Gospel to them, you can’t of assuming that those truths have presume they start from a been revealed to us, that God has said viewpoint that ‘the Word Pictured above: Fr John Martis something about them, using scriptures was God’. You have to mainly, and tradition, and how people have start from an open question; say, ‘What from a faith perspective that presents interpreted scriptures down the ages. is justice?’ or ‘What is love?’ or ‘What as pre-emptively dismissive of other is truth?’ Which begins with experience positions. Being genuinely respectful of How did you come to focus on rather than a theological or faith formula. other views becomes a way of expecting philosophy as a field? genuine respect for our views. I was born in a Muslim country, Kuwait. Faith-based perspectives are Also if our views are taken as coming When I was a kid we were among many increasingly being deemed from a fixed point that has no room for different religions, particularly Islam, unacceptable in public debate on change, or for listening, then it becomes and also Hinduism among some of the many issues. From a philosophical invalid in the public sphere — as we would Indians and others who were there. So perspective, how would we go also dismiss someone else who came from the attraction to asking questions purely, about trying to create a different a purely ideological position. An ideology before having some authoritative [faith- space for discussion where religious is a bit more closed whereas if faith is based] answers, was strong. Even though perspectives are allowed? alive, it remains open to discovery. An my family is of strong Catholic origin, the Fr Frank Brennan has been good at that, ideology has a predetermined answer to freedom to investigate with the mind was being a person of faith, but speaking in everything. Our being able to stay away quite attractive, from my early days. the public forum on (for example) same from that would become a condition for sex marriage. Seeing those who have our being accepted in the debate. Why is philosophy an important been successful in this, my instinct part of the formation of Jesuits? would be that it is important to bring A longer version of this interview is It gives you the open-mindedness to a respect for the issues that isn’t forthcoming on the Province website, tackle a question through reason without coloured by any pre-determination Jesuit.org.au

Companions Summer 2017–18 13 REVIEWS / NEWS

Book Reviews

Richard Leonard sj, Christopher Tony Herbert sj, What Does It All Gleeson sj, Disturbing the Mean? A Guide To A Canopy of Stars: Dust: Notes from Being More Faithful, Some Reflections for the Margins, Hopeful and Loving, the Journey, revised Jesuit Mission, Paulist Press, 2017 and expanded edition, 2017 David Lovell ISBN Publishing, 2017 ISBN 9780809106417 ISBN9781863551618 9780648109204 In Fr Richard Leonard’s latest work he When Fr Chris Gleeson sj wrote the first Fr Tony Herbert sj has worked in India for puts together in a revised form the heart edition of A Canopy of Stars he had recently 50 years. His ministry has been with Indian of his previous three books. As his titles completed many years as teacher and communities made poor and excluded show, he asks all the big, hard questions. He headmaster in Jesuit schools. It contained by the oppression of caste and economic responds to them by taking his conversation many moving, humorous stories of his framework. He sets within his experience partners seriously, acknowledges the truth easy engagement with the schoolboys and and relationships in those communities a in their criticisms of church, Catholics and their parents in good times and hard. The reflection on the Gospel claim that the weak arguments, but he also criticises weak stories remain fresh in this revised edition, poor make on Christians. The incidents and unfair treatment of Catholic life and to which he has added four points of the he describes bring out the implications of faith by hostile critics. He deals honestly canopy to complement the eight stars the option for the poor and cut through with the contemporary challenges to faith that illuminate the many aspects of living the rhetoric and defensive cant that often from scientific discovery, from sexual abuse faithfully and fully. His style is expansive bedevil discussion. His stories and reflection within the Church and from diminishing and leisurely, as befits an understanding of reveal how social systems enforce poverty parish congregations. He enlivens his book human life as full of messiness. The God on people, diminish people’s hopes and self- with a wide range of stories, some funny he portrays loves unfailingly and enjoys respect; he calls on courage and faithfulness and others very moving. the richness and untidiness of our lives. to stand with people who are poor.

John Martis, Tom O’Hara sj, David Strong sj, Subjectivity as Radical Come Lord Jesus: The Australian Hospitality: Recasting Contemplation Dictionary of the Self with Augustine, and the Gospels, Jesuit Biography Descartes, Marion and Garratt Publishing, 1848–2015, Derrida, 2017 Halstead Press, Lexington Books, 2017 2017 ISBN ISBN ISBN 9781498543996 97818635551632 9781925043280 Fr John Martis follows in the tradition of Fr Tom O’Hara sj was a noted retreat In tribute to the Jesuits who have lived, St Augustine and Continental philosophers giver and spiritual guide. This book, worked and died in Australia and New who have wrestled with the questions, published posthumously and introduced Zealand, Fr David Strong has written this ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What am I?’ Augustine by the funeral homily of his nephew unique, generous and illustrated biographical asked whether the self who knows is Fr Frank Brennan sj, offers reflections encyclopaedia. This is an updated second identical with the self whom I think I know, on many of the Sunday Gospels. edition, which includes new entries for and whether we know other people as They are characterised by attention those Jesuits who have passed away since they are or as they are trimmed to our to the texts of the Gospels, a feeling the publication of the first edition, as minds. Fr Martis argues that we are most for the human situations in which we well as an appendix of abridged entries of ourselves and know ourselves when we live out Jesus’ teachings and a thorough Jesuits who spent time in, and contributed go out to other people and the world to grounding in the Ignatian tradition and to, the Australian province. The Australian welcome them on their own terms. In his the psychology of the spiritual life. Dictionary of Jesuit Biography is a record of exploration he engages with the complex Those who knew Tom will also hear almost 500 members. Fr Strong’s distinctive arguments of contemporary philosophers, attractive echoes of his lively and lightly writing captures the spirit and idiosyncrasies always carefully and respectfully. declamatory voice. of each one.

14 Companions Summer 2017–18 WILL YOU HELP TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE JESUITS?

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Companions Summer 2017–18 15

C1703_bequest joint.indd 1 23/03/2017 1:29 PM A people’s faith enshrined in stone

‘For 150 years since its beginning with the laying of the foundation stone, the church of St Ignatius’, Richmond, Victoria, has been the focal point for the expression of the faith life of the Richmond Catholic community, and an iconic landmark for the wider community. ‘St Ignatius’ stands tall on Richmond Hill, a symbol of a community’s faith and involvement in the neighbourhood. Its beautiful fabric and breathtaking interior offer a wonderful display of architecture and art. ‘It is a welcoming place — a place of prayer, celebration, remembrance, solace, care, comfort, belonging and community.’ A People’s Faith Enshrined in Stone, edited by Patricia O’Halloran and featuring a commemorative essay by Michael McGirr and original photographs by Andrew Esposito, Shayarana Gooneratne and Fr Nguyen Viet Huy sj, is available now via St Ignatius’ website, www.ignatius.org.au